Let us understand Turn Around of Indian Railways .

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) has joined the race to build the $4 billion Churchgate-Virar elevated corridor, the largest infrastructure project in the offering under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model.

“We have attended the pre-bid meeting and will submit our bids by first week of March, before which the railways are likely to sort out issues like the state support agreement and land acquisition,” said a source from RInfra. The request for quotes (RFQ) submission is due on March 8, 2013.

R-Infra, which reported 78% increase in its December quarter net profits to Rs 728 crore, will have to compete with infra majors like L&T, IL&FS & GMR, Gammon and CAF of Spain, who have also expressed desire to bid for the project.

The project will be offered under the design, build, finance, operate & transfer (DBFOT) model and will provide air-conditioned metro like experience to commuters.

The 63km route will have a 43km elevated section and 8km underground section with 26 stations in-between. SYSTRA & RITES are the technical consultants for the project. The winning bidder is expected to complete the project in five years.

The railways ministry expects 1.7 million commuters to take this corridor in 2019-20. R-Infra is also implementing its first Metro project in Mumbai, which will be operational later this year.

“R-Infra with its experience in Metro will be serious participants. We are developing the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line and are wellversed with the project issues in Mumbai and in particular to the project alignment,” said the source.